At The Storm King School, summer reading is more than just a seasonal assignment—it’s the first step in a program of reflection, dialogue, and discovery for the upcoming school year. This summer, the theme guiding both students and faculty through their summer reading is Connection. Chosen by Dean of Faculty Tim Gillett and the Summer Reading Committee, this theme will serve as the foundation for activities and conversations throughout the 2025–2026 school year, particularly during Advisory.

The Advisory Program—where students meet regularly in small groups with their faculty advisors—uses the summer reading selections as a basis for meaningful discussions and activities throughout the year. These sessions aim to help students connect literature to real life, while building relationships with peers and mentors in a supportive environment.

For rising juniors and seniors, this year’s selections center around the idea that stories can connect us not only to others, but also to ourselves and the wider world. Whether it’s Stephen King’s reflections on writing, the haunting beauty of Station Eleven, the timeless story of redemption in A Christmas Carol, or Janie’s quest for love and independence in Their Eyes Were Watching God, these books invite students to consider how storytelling bridges divides and shapes human experience.

Tenth graders will contemplate questions of loyalty, morality, and justice. Set against the backdrop of war and social upheaval, their reading choices—including My Brother Sam is Dead, The Killer Angels, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Animal Farm—challenge students to examine personal and political conflicts, and to think critically about doing what’s right in complex situations.

Ninth grade students will focus on survival, resilience, and the importance of connection in times of crisis. Books including The Marrow Thieves, The Naturals, No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference, and Woods Runner explore the strength that can be found through community and purpose.

For eighth graders, the summer reading list explores growing up, facing challenges, and developing empathy. Through stories like The Wednesday Wars, Walk Two Moons, and The Knife of Never Letting Go, students will encounter characters who learn to understand themselves and others more deeply.

English Language Learners will also engage with the theme of connection through stories that highlight the importance of being seen, heard, and understood. Titles such as The Wednesday Wars and El Deafo offer opportunities to reflect on identity, friendship, and perseverance.

As the new school year begins, Advisory groups will explore the theme of connection through a variety of discussions and activities inspired by the summer reading. “These books invite us to think deeply about how we form bonds with one another, with ourselves, and with the world around us,” explained Mr. Gillett. “They offer stories and ideas that will spark our Advisory conversations and support our school’s culture of truth, respect, and responsibility.” Whether through literature, current issues, or personal reflection, students and faculty alike will engage in meaningful dialogue about what it means to connect—and why it matters.